William hill pre-tax profits dip by 3%

British bookmaker William Hill has reported a 3% dip in pre-tax profits for 2011, partially down to an exceptional charge of nearly £2m (€2.35m) relating to its pull-out from the Irish retail market last year.

The company had closed the majority of its Irish- based shops, before finally selling off the last 15 to Boyle Sports late last year. In all, group exceptional costs topped £50m last year.

Before these exceptional items were accounted for, William Hill’s profits amounted to £239.4m; 9% up on the previous year, but including the exceptional costs, profits amounted to £187.4m.